Insulating Apparatus with Removable Thermal Adjustment Units

Abstract

A cooler apparatus including removable thermal adjustment units is described. In one embodiment, the cooler apparatus comprises a housing defining an outer wall including a side wall and a bottom wall, an inner wall and a plurality of compartments between the inner wall and outer wall, the inner wall defining a storage compartment. A thermal adjustment unit is then removably coupled to the housing and fit within one of the plurality of compartments to adjust a temperature. In this manner, an interior temperature of the cooler may be adjusted. A removable tray may be included in the cooler. The removable tray may define a set of receptacles for receiving a set of items, including beverages. A lid may then be coupled to another removable thermal adjustment unit. The lid is attached to an open portion of the cooler to form a seal for preserving the interior temperature of the cooler. A handle and a set of wheels are then coupled to the exterior of the cooler to facilitate transportation of the cooler.

1 . An insulating apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining an outer wall including a side wall and a bottom wall, an inner wall and a plurality of compartments between the inner wall and outer wall, the inner wall defining a storage compartment; and   a thermal adjustment unit removably coupled to the housing, the thermal adjustment unit to fit within one of the plurality of compartments and to adjust a temperature of the storage compartment.   
   
   
       2 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a removable tray disposed in the storage compartment, the removable tray defining a plurality of receptacles.   
   
   
       3 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of receptacles defines an aperture to receive an item. 
   
   
       4 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the item has a frusto-conical shape. 
   
   
       5 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal adjustment unit increases or decreases a temperature of the storage compartment. 
   
   
       6 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal adjustment unit comprises a removable pack, the removable pack containing a material suitable for adjusting a temperature of the storage compartment. 
   
   
       7 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the removable pack includes a handle coupled to an end of the removable pack. 
   
   
       8 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the removable pack includes a refrigerant compound or heating compound suitable to adjusting the temperature of the storage compartment. 
   
   
       9 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the removable pack is reusable. 
   
   
       10 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a handle and set of wheels coupled to the housing.   
   
   
       11 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the handle is adjustable in length. 
   
   
       12 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lid, the lid to form a seal with an open end of the housing.   
   
   
       13 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the lid includes a flange to facilitate forming the seal with the open end of the housing. 
   
   
       14 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a thermal adjustment unit inserted within the storage compartment.   
   
   
       15 . The insulating apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the thermal adjustment unit comprises a removable freezer pack, the removable freezer pack containing a material suitable to provide refrigeration of the storage compartment. 
   
   
       16 . A method comprising:
 forming components of an insulating apparatus;   attaching thermal adjustment unit inside the insulating apparatus;   inserting a tray in the insulating apparatus;   mounting a handle to the insulating apparatus;   mounting a transportation mechanism to the insulating apparatus; and   attaching a lid the insulating apparatus.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 attaching a removable thermal adjustment unit to the lid.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 decorating the insulating apparatus and the lid.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein decorating comprises:
 applying a graphic to the insulating apparatus and the lid.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein applying the graphic comprises a silk-screening technique.